Page 93 of Thanks for the Friendship
“Dad?”
“We have a buyer for the house,” he blurts out.
Um, what?
“That’s impossible. I haven’t listed it yet.”
Am I hallucinating?
“I know. One of our contacts wants to buy it, and they’ve made us a very generous offer.”
Is he serious?
“Dad, you don’t know the market like I do,” I insist. “We could probably get some great offers, possibly more than what we’re asking.”
Gabby looks over at me, her eyes growing wide. I guess I was being pretty loud. I can feel the tension rising in my body. Are my parents really in that much of a rush to sell it?
“I’ll list it today. Let’s just give it a little time.”
“We’ve verbally accepted their offer, and believe me, it’s good,” he says. “Don’t worry, I’ve done my research, and I think you’ll be pleased.”
“It’s a better offer than you could’ve ever imagined,” my mom shouts into the phone. “Just you wait.”
Is this really happening? I’m not even talking about the house selling. I knew that was happening. I’m just beyond frustrated with my parents.
“Whatever,” I snap. “Send me the buyer’s info, and we’ll get the paperwork started tonight or tomorrow.”
There’s no point in arguing with them, and I’m over it.
“Honey, I know this has been very difficult for you. We’re not discounting your feelings,” my dad says.
“I’m fine,” I say. “I need to get back to work. I’ve got to get those sales in, and I need to sign a lease on a condo before I’m homeless.”
“We love you,” he says, avoiding my last comment. “And I promise everything with be okay.”
I end the call and put my phone down on the desk.
“What happened?” Gabby asks.
I break the news to her that my parents have accepted an offer and there’s nothing I can do about it. This day can’t end soon enough.
* * *
As soon as I get home, I open the pantry and grab a box of Lucky Charms. Cereal is always there for you when you need it.
After seeing Diane and my conversation with my parents, I texted Cal and asked him to come over tonight. I’m so drained, and I think feeling his arms around me is exactly what I need. I don’t know if we’re going to figure things out tonight, but I don’t care. I take my cereal outside to the patio and sit down on one of the chaise lounges. I listen to the soothing sound of the water running over the rocks in the pool and exhale deeply. It’s actually happening—this house is almost gone. As sad as it is, I know everything is going to work out. Gabby, Reagan, and I will still be living together, Fun in the Sun isn’t closing, and Cal is back in my life. And like my mom said, I will hold my memories in my heart no matter where I live. The one thing I can’t control is Diane’s opinion of me. The funny thing is that I thought I’d be relieved once we closed on her house and she was out of my life. I guess there’s a part of me that enjoyed her friendship, and the constant praise was definitely a huge ego boost. Anyway, sometimes certain people aren’t meant to stay in our lives. What’s that saying about people coming into our lives for a reason or a season? I should look it up.
“Lila?” Reagan says.
“Oh, hey,” I say.
She puts her hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay? You were staring off into space.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just thinking.”
She sits down on the edge of the chair. “Gabby told me about your parents finding a buyer.”
I shake my head. “Can you believe it? Their daughter is a hotshot real estate agent, and they decide to take the first offer that comes their way.”
